007 Film Producer Broccoli Wins Libel Suit--Reputation Be-'SMERSHed'

Image by Getty Images via @daylifeU.K. newspapers The Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday will publish apologies and pay undisclosed damages to James Bond film producer Barbara Broccoli over August 2010, articles that suggested as a U.K. Film Council member, she steered grant money to a company she owned, according to a story on the Website PressGazette.uk.com.

The Mail on Sunday August 15, 2010, edition sported a story headlined: "Axed film quango gave 70 million pounds ($113,228,148) to own members." For "TUOL"'s American readers, Broccoli wasn't upset about being called a quango (quasi-autonomous non-governmental orgranization). Rather, she resented the allegation that she used her position as a member of the board of directors of the Film Councill to funnel public funds  to First Light, a company the defendants alleged she owned.

Her attorneys told the High Court that First Light is a registered charity to which Broccoli contributes, but has neither an ownership interest or financial stake in. Associated Newspapers, the defendants' parent company, plans to publish an apology to the plaintiff, Broccoli, Barbara Broccoli.